Liberty University
NCAA Division I Outdoor Track Championships
Kigen Finishes 16th, Powell 22nd in Eugene
6/9/2010 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Day 1 Blog
On a cool, damp Wednesday afternoon at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Liberty's Evans Kigen ran the 16th-fastest time in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase and Clarence Powell ended up 22nd in the men's triple jump. They were the lone Flames to compete on the opening day of action at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
Kigen's heat of the steeplechase remained tightly packed until about three laps remained. When the race broke open, the redshirt junior was unable to respond and ended up placing ninth in the section. Kigen's time of 8:49.18 was his third sub-8:50 clocking of the season and placed 16th overall. The Big South Men's Outstanding Track Performer missed the 14th and final qualifying spot for Friday's final by just 3.9 seconds.
Powell, making his NCAA national meet debut in the men's triple jump, only managed one fair attempt on the day. The Sunshine State native's best mark measured 48-11.75, leaving him in 22nd place overall. He closed out a stellar year which saw him sweep the Big South Men's Outstanding Field Performer awards, both indoors and outdoors.
Liberty's other two NCAA national qualifiers will both be in action on Thursday. Elliot Galeone will begin competition in the men's javelin at 8:15 p.m. Eastern, while Sam Chelanga will race in the men's 10K final at 10:25 p.m. Eastern.
